No more smoking and drinking scenes in movies says CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani

No more smoking and drinking scenes on-screen

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is not only responsible for giving certification to movies but also answerable for preserving the culture and ethics of India.In response to the questions asked by the media Pahlaj Nihalani addressed both questions on the ban and the rumours on removing him as chief of CBFC.

Nihalani took this opportunity to acknowledge the rumours regarding stepping out of his post, “So far I have not heard of any such plans from the government. I am sure my well-wishers are holding their breath. But they can exhale for now. As far as being asked to relinquish my post as the CBFC chairperson is concerned, I leave the decision entirely to the government.

It was they who asked me to take over in January 2015. The decision to hire me was a complete surprise to me. I immediately took charge and began working to the best of my abilities. If now I am asked to leave, I’d do so just as swiftly, wishing my successor all the best”.

In response to the ban, Pahlaj Nihalani said, “We feel the superstars who are followed by millions and who set an example in societal behaviour must not be shown drinking or smoking on screen unless the provocation for doing so is extreme.” He also added, “There’s no need of putting a ticker warning at the end of the screen anymore.”

This could be a disappointment for movie lovers where they would never see actors like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan consuming alcohol in their films

Pahlaj Nihalani always had issues with many industry figures accusing his world view as being too regressive. He’s always stuck in controversies because he objects anything that even looks casual regarding movies. Recently he puts a ban on a “lady-oriented” film like’ Lipstick Under My Burkha’ or deleting the word “intercourse” in the second mini-trailer of Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma-starrer ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’.